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Friday, March 23, 2012

Guest Blogger Carrie Turansky and A Man to Trust

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CARRIE TURANSKY is the award-winning author of ten novels and novellas. Carrie writes contemporary and historical romance, and her latest releases are A Man To Trust, Surrendered Hearts, and Christmas Mail-Order Brides. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, author, speaker and counselor. They have five young adult children and three grandchildren. Carrie leads women’s ministry at her church, and when she is not writing she enjoys gardening, reading, flower arranging, and cooking for friends and family. She loves to connect with readers on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and through her website: www.carrieturansky.com.

A MAN TO TRUST
by Carrie Turansky
Published by Love Inspired

ABOUT THE BOOK

After Years spent helping run her family’s Christian Bookstore, it’s time for Adrie Chandler to give her own dream of playing her flute with a symphony a chance. But can she really trust the beloved shop to new manager Ross Peterson? The man is too handsome, too charming…too much a reminder of another dream Adrie had to let go of – Marriage. Yet Ross surprises her by knowing a thing or two about making sacrifices. Suddenly, Adrie’s questioning what she really wants. And whether the dreams she once thought unlikely are within reach after all.

Readers, buy your copy of A Man to Trust today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Following Your Dreams

When I was young I often dreamed about the future and what I’d like to do or be. First I wanted to be a ballerina, then an artist, an actress, a newspaper reporter, a missionary, and by the time I finished college and grad school I was sure I wanted to get married and be involved with ministry. I didn’t even dream about being a writer until I was in my mid-forties. But I’ve always loved creativity, and writing grew out of my love for reading and storytelling.

Following your dreams and seeking God’s direction for how He wants you to use your gifts and talents is one of the themes of my new book, A Man To Trust. The heroine, Adrienne Chandler, has studied music for many years and dreams of playing the flute with a symphony orchestra. But in order to follow that dream she must find someone to take over as manager of the Christian bookstore owned by her grandmother, and then she must be willing to move wherever she finds an opening with an orchestra. Her life becomes even more complicated when she starts to develop feelings for the man she hired to replace her at the bookstore. Adrie’s journey to discover God will for her life and His plan for her future carries a lesson for all of us. I hope you’ll order a copy and enjoy the story. It’s the second in a series set in Fairhaven, Washington.

Are you wondering if this is the right time for you to step out and follow your dreams? Seek God and spend time talking to Him about it. Ask other wise Christians to give you their input and ideas. Pray some more. Then step out in faith and move ahead as He directs you. When you start out on a journey, you can’t always see beyond the next bend in the road, but you can see the first step. So take it, see where it leads. Then trust God to show you what’s next. He promised to provide wisdom to anyone who asks Him, as long as we come expecting His guidance and not doubting Him.

When I think of women who have followed their dreams, I think of my friend Deb Taylor Lahey. About three years ago Deb felt a tug on her heart to help the homeless, so she decided to volunteer at TASK, the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. She’d never done anything like that before, and she was a little apprehensive, but she sensed God wanted her to go, so she went. As she spent time each week at TASK, she noticed many of the people who came in for meals had no socks, or if they had socks, they were old and ragged. So Deb decided to do something about it. She brought the need back to our church, and we all began bringing her socks. But she didn’t stop there. She wrote letters to stores and manufacturers. And soon boxes and bags of socks were rolling in, filling her garage and spare bedroom. And now, at last count Deb has collected over 23,000 pairs of socks. She’s blessed and encouraged countless people, by meeting this basic need. And she’s earned the title, Te Sock Lady from all her friends at TASK.

It’s never too late to seek God about your dreams and desires and enjoy all He has planned for you!

* * * * *

Thank you, Carrie, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: What kind of dream has God placed in your heart?

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name at domainname dot com/net) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win a FREE copy of the book above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the contest is open to residents of the US/Canada only.

10 comments:

Janna said...

My dream is to take my dance team on a missions trip and use dance as a way to draw people in to hear about Jesus. For me that would be the ultimate experience.

ryanx6@msn.com

Janna

Carrie Turansky said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carrie Turansky said...

Hi Janna, what an awesome dream! My daughter-in-law and my daughter are both dancers. Melinda led a dance group in Kauai at their church that used it in worship. It was beautiful. My daughter also has done praise hula. Such a great way to praise the Lord!

Thansk so much for sharing your dream. : )
Blessings,
Carrie

Cheryl said...

What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your dream and that of your friend.

I've dreamed of being a writer since I was a little girl. Now that I am a pubished author, it seems I might be heading back to the workforce, and it's been tough to know exactly what God's plan for my life is because I know I have blocked out anything that doesn't have to do with me continuing with my writing. Hopefully this post will help open my heart.

Wishing you a blessed weekend,

Cheryl

ccmal(at)charter(dot)net

Carrie Turansky said...

Hi Cheryl, If you do head back into the workforce you might find it gives you more inspiration for stories that you hadn't even thought of, opportunities to meet new friends and reach new people. Sometimes people who work a full-time job are still able to write. It takes a lot of dedication and focus...but it's possible. I wouldn't give up all together. If you love writing then find a way to keep at it even if it is at a slower pace.

Thanks for stopping by!
Carrie

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

Carrie, I love your advice about loving writing and sticking to it, even if it's at a slower pace. The same thing happened to me when I recently had 2 children in my mid-30's. Not in MY plan, but obviously in God's. I had already sold 8 novels by then, so my career was on its way. Couldn't stop writing any easier than I could stop being a mom, so I found a way to write...taking 3x as long to finish a novel as before.

So, Cheryl, stick with it if it's something you love. You *will* find a way!

Carrie Turansky said...

Hi Tiff, I do admire you for continuing your writing while you carry on the full-time job of wife and mother of two young children. With God's help I know you've learned to find ways to fit writing into your week. I am still praying for that new MOPS group to start for you and for you to find some other moms to trade childcare times.

Thanks for inviting me to share a post on your blog!
Blessings,
Carrie

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

Yes, it's God's help and grace that keeps me going. Somehow, he lengthens some days when I'm surprised I've gotten any writing done at all!

MOPS *is* starting at our church this Fall, and I've already met some great ladies who will be part of the leadership team. Things are looking up.

I stepped out and followed my dream to write, and God blessed me with novels sold. Then, I followed my dream of being a wife and mother, and God blessed that too! Just not in the order I had imagined. :)

Bethany said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bethany said...

My dream is to have a large family made of adopted children from around the world. Someday... :)

cbus.blogger at gmail dot com